Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has denied the allegation that the wing’s members are sulking because Mastura Mohd Yazid was named as the candidate for the Kuala Kangsar by-election.

She described this claim as nothing short of embarrassing.

“This is incorrect. I, as Wanita chief, the vice-chief and many others have hit the ground (to campaign). In fact, the Wanita wing is the backbone for the entire party machinery here,” Shahrizat told reporters.

Previously, there were speculations of possible sabotage as certain quarters were alleged to be still lobbying for the seat, despite Mastura having submitted her nomination papers.

Mastura is the widow of former incumbent MP Wan Mohammad Wan Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak, with five others.

Meanwhile, Shahrizat was also asked to comment on the split within Kuala Kangsar Umno, with one camp aligned to the late MP and the other to division chief Ramly Zahari.

“In by-elections and general elections, there will always be those who are unsatisfied... This is not an issue.

“This has nothing to do with camps, it is about the Umno leadership picking the best candidate,” she said.

Sharizat said the June 18 by-election results would put a lid on all speculations and negative sentiments.

“Let us see what the results are, insya-Allah (God willing) and I believe the outcome will favour BN and it will put an end to all these issues,” she said.

Kuala Kangsar Wanita Umno chief Aisyah Halid also dismissed the allegation that her members were upset with Mastura’s nomination, describing this as slander.

“As the division Wanita chief, I can tell you that the wing’s machinery consisting of 700 members is working well,” she said.

The contest for the parliamentary seat is seeing a four-way tussle among Mastura, PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, Amanah’s Prof Ahmad Termizi Ramli and Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.